Common Myths About Sewage

Myth: The sewer system is separate from the other drains in my house.Fact: Your toilet, sinks, shower, dishwasher and washing machine are all connected to the same sewer system.

Myth: If the package says an item is “flushable”, then it must be safe for the sewer system.Fact: Nearly all of the items that are marketed as “flushable” are anything but. With the exception of toilet paper, there are no other “flushable” paper products. This means that tampons, cleaning wipes of any kind, toilet bowl scrubbers and other such items should never be flushed.

Myth: It is perfectly safe to put food scraps down the garborator. Fact: Not even shredded vegetables should go down the drain. Some sewer lines are only 4 inches wide and can easily be clogged by food waste. It is a much better idea to compost or put the food waste into the garbage.

Myth: It is okay to pour cooking grease down the drain as long as hot water is poured down after it.Fact: Grease sticks to the sides of pipes and creates a thick coating that will eventually block the pipe completely. This can happen to the pipes in your home or to the sewer pipes further down the line. When sewer lines are blocked, sewage can back up into homes or overflow into receiving bodies of water such as creeks, rivers and lakes. Products that claim to dissolve grease only push the problem further down the pipe. A grease buildup might be temporarily dislodged, but it will get stuck further down the line when it hardens.